MTI Fluid Belt PFD

I currently own a few standard issue kayak-aimed PFDs.  One Stolquist and one Patagonia.  Love them both.  Great for use in the boats.  Not so good for use on boards, be they standup or prone.  So I picked up a hip-worn inflatable, the MTI Fluid Belt Pack.  I know that this item isn't really going to appeal to the majority of you, but some folks dabble in SUP, and at least one known lurker fishes from a surfboard.  Nevertheless, here are my thoughts...

Getting in the door:  $120.  Yep.  Ouch.  It can be found for less, but I wanted to pad the REI dividend.

The gist:  It's made to be worn around the waist and in front.  Not so practical when knee paddling or prone paddling a board, but it rotates around with ease.  I wear it in back, like a Disneyland dad of the late eighties.  Get in trouble, pull the handle.  It inflates.  Place head through hole, tighten strap.  The PFD then remains tethered to the fanny pack.  Bob around and await the orange chopper.  Don your best Arnold voice and yell to your buddy, "Get to da choppahhhh!"

The fit:  I find that it fits best when placed on the mom-jean waist, just beneath the rib cage.  Not sure why, but that's the case.  I have bony hips, so it's likely my fault.  The fanny pack belt is ample.  I'm not a big guy, and have a 34" waist with wetsuit.  I have to tighten the belt a lot, which leaves a long tail.  They included a retaining clip to keep it from flapping about, but there is a lot of material sitting unused.  Nothing major, though.  Kind of wish they made a few sizes.

The look:  The fanny pack comes in gray and pool-party-whimsical.  I chose gray.  The inflatable portion is bright yellow.  You know, so the choppahhhh can see you.

Inflation:  I packed the prone board, some fishing gear, the MTI Fluid Belt pack, and headed to a variety of high lakes.  I chose the deep part of Suttle Lake as the venue in which I would jump off the board, rotate the pack to the front of my body, inflate, and don.  Typing that sentence took longer than the actual process.  Easy and seamless.  I was impressed.

Deflation and repacking:  There is an oral inflation tube with a valve atop it.  Push the valve, release the air.  But be sure to release all of it.  I made the choice to reboard and attempt a deflation/repacking process.  This would probably not be the case of actual use, as this is an emergency device.  You'd probably be wearing this thing during transit to shore.  Anyway, it was kind of a pain to get all of the air out.  Well, a pain whilst bobbing on a board.  On shore, and with use of a truck bed, it was pretty easy.  The PFD features lines on which you fold.  Makes it very easy.  Just make sure ALL AIR IS OUT.  Otherwise, it's like doing origami with paper that is too thick.  Once folded, you insert a new air cartridge, twist, and arm.  The port into which the canister inserts features an indicator window.  Green for armed, red for unarmed.  I like that.  No guessing.

Durability:  This was my initial concern.  Fishing hooks + inflatable products = trouble, am I right?  Well, not so much.  The fanny pack is made of a tough material that is all but impervious to sharp objects.  And if you're fishing with an inflated vest, then you likely have other problems going on.  The inflatable portion feels thick and solid, and likely won't deteriorate over time.  Don't leave it on the dash board in the sun, though.  Feels like the nicer Sevylor rafts.

Overall:  I am quite impressed, and happy I spent the money.  Stashing a kayaking PFD in the milkcrate was dumb.  And made said PFD reek of fish.  This frees up the crate, and keeps me safe.  Win.  MTI did a great job with the design and plan for ease of use.  This is a well thought out product.  But again, I wouldn't necessarily recommend it for kayaking.  But that's not what they designed it for.  if you have a board, and don't wanna spend 150 bucks or so on a ticket issued for PFD violations, spend the 120 bucks on this product.

Disclaimer:  No bro-deals were had in the making of this review.  I bought the item, and genuinely like it.